NZ Sevens stays in Wellington

2010-12-23 11:54

Wellington - New Zealand's favourite sports and entertainment event will remain in Wellington after the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) awarded the Wellington Rugby Football Union the right to host the HSBC Sevens World Series for another five years, covering the period 2012-2016.

According to the allblacks.com website, the New Zealand leg of the competition, the NZI Sevens, has successfully kept fans and teams entertained for the past 11 years. The first tournament was held in Wellington in 2000 at Westpac Stadium and has gone from strength to strength ever since.

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said the event had developed a unique identity in Wellington, which had captured the imagination of New Zealand fans and Sevens rugby followers around the world.

“I’m sure NZI Sevens fans will be delighted with this news. After a thorough review and an invitation for bids from other centres, Wellington delivered a compelling case to keep the event here in the capital and we were happy to agree.”

The NZI Sevens in Wellington has become firmly established as the place to be in February, with the tournament now renowned as the best sports and entertainment event in New Zealand.

The decision to award the NZI Sevens to Wellington for a further five years is subject to the finalisation of the agreement between NZRU and the IRB to grant HSBC Sevens World Series Tournament rights to New Zealand from 2012 onwards.